Here we go with the final route and to keep it a little fresh, this one begins at around Chapter 7.

Learning To Protect (Normal/Chitose Route)

When I joined the angel Wing, I was thrown out of the frying pan and into the fire. I got my first taste of a real battle when we dealt with the first missile frigates. Ever since then, I had went from being a crew worker the girls were aware of to one of their closest friends. All five of the girls really liked me and I liked them back, but there was one angel that I liked a little bit more than the other four.

Forte Stollen. The ring-leader and sort of like a big sister to the girls. The one angel who always had our backs as long as we made sure her back was protected. She was the one who took a huge interest in me when she first saw my potential and thanks to her, I have my own protection such as my desert eagle pistol. On a personal level, I wasn't sure why I liked her more. Was it her maturity, was it her impressive collection of weapons from forgotten eras or that short red hair of hers?

I was snapped out of my focus when I felt a tap on my shoulder.

"Alright, Angel Wing, you're dismissed." Tact said.

I was wondering what he meant by that but we left the bridge and we walked to the lounge.

"Yo Arnold." Forte said. "Got some time with us, girls?"

"Yeah, what do you want?" I asked.

"You know about the ball, well we had a bit of an idea."

"As the only male member of the Angel Wing, we're wondering if there is someone you like." Milfie said.

"Who I like, eh?" I asked, pondering over it.

"We're wondering because we really like you, but since there's only one of you, you can only reply back to one of us." Ranpha said.

"But you don't need to think about it too hard." Mint added. "Because we also prepared ourselves on what we'll be doing for the ball in advance."

"We will respect your decision." Vanilla said.

"The point is that all five of us are nominating ourselves to be your date." Forte added. "If you have feelings for wanting to date one of us, just come up to our rooms and call for the one you like the most."

"I see...I can understand that. But if I may ask, do any of you like Tact enough to nominate yourselves as his dance partner?"

"Dance partner?" Vanilla asked.

"Yeah, as commander of the ship and the one we've followed orders for, I think he'll have to make a choice on who he wants to dance with."

"Good point." Forte replied. "But just between us angels, we like you and care for you more than Tact, it'll be our little secret, he he he."

The other girls nodded in agreement.

I smiled. "Alright, I'll have a think and then I call on one of your doors when I've made my decision."

"Good, good." Ranpha said. "Like we said, whoever you'll choose we'll support it, okay?"

"We're not going to be anywhere for now, although a few of us may not be in our rooms." Mint said. "Just a little warning."

I nodded. "I'll keep it in mind."

The girls left the lounge, leaving me to think it over...all of the girls are beautiful, but the things that I like the most about Forte almost made it easy to decide. I looked straight and nodded, okay, I have made my decision. I left the lounge and walked up to the girls rooms. I then spotted a rose that was wrapped in clear wrapping paper, that must be a gift I have to give to one of the girls. I stood outside Forte's door and cleared my throat, asking out the ring-leader made me nervous, but she would want me to be brave, I called for her by pushing the button.

"Forte, it's Arnold, are you in here?" I asked.

"Yeah, come on in." She replied.

I walked in to her room with the rose I picked up and she was standing by the sofa.

"So you came, have you made your decision?"

"Yes, but first allow me to give you this." I handed her the rose.

She seemed surprised. "Eh? This rose is for me?"

"Yes, because I also have to tell you my choice. Now forgive me for being too forward, but..." I grabbed her hand. "...Forte, I choose you to be my date for the ball."

"You want me to be your date...?"

"I do...I can't quite explain it, but there's a lot of things that I like about you. So if you were to be my date, then maybe I find out the answers on why I like you much more than the other girls."

Forte hummed with a smile. "I see...yeah, thank you. I'm happy that you chose me."

"I feel the same way, it would be a great time to have some good memories at the ball."

She looked at me. "In that case, let's get a few important things for the ball. You'll get nowhere near the ball dressed like that."

"Ha ha ha! Fair point, it is supposed to be a classy place or so I've heard. Then we'll need to get some fashionable clothing."

"Yep, I'll be needing a dress for the ball and you'll need a trendy suit."

"Can't argue with that...say, since we're at Fargo, shall we go shopping for our clothes right away?"

"Yeah, good idea, Arnold. I'll let you take the lead this once."

"He he he, thanks, Forte."

She put the rose by the table and we left her room. Feeling a wave of bravery, I held her hand as we walked out of the Elsior and into Fargo where it was quite crowded.

"Ohhh, so many people here." Forte commented. "It's been a long time since I've seen that."

"Yeah, we've been on the ship for so long, the noise of a crowd feels new." I replied.

"Now then, first let's go buy a dress. Mint told me about a good store."

"Got it, let's go."

We walked to a fashion store and headed on inside.

"Whoa...what a fancy store." I complimented. "Just like something Mint would recommend."

"You were expecting something else?" Forte grinned. "Now what to choose..."

"How may I help you?" The store clerk asked. "Is there something you're looking for?"

"Yeah, an evening dress. How about you pick five or six for me to check out?"

"As you desire. Please come to the fitting room."

Whilst Forte was trying on the dresses, I checked the mens section and found an ideal trendy suit that would match me to almost perfection. When I was done, Forte was ready with hers.

"Oh, you're done?" I asked.

"Yep and I can see you're ready too." Forte replied.

"I sure am, so what will your dress be like?"

"That'll have to wait for the big day."

"Fair enough. Okay, let's keep shopping."

We left the fashion store and Forte bought several more stuff, but it wasn't a problem for me to carry.

"Arnold, you okay with all of my shopping?"

"Sure am...it's my job to keep my body in good shape so I don't get weak when holding things for too long."

"That's all good but it's okay to have a rest too. For now, how about we sit down by that coffee shop?"

"Sounds good, let's go in."

We walked into the coffee shop and took a table for two people, we ordered coffee and then I was curious as to what Forte was holding.

"Forte, is that a watch?" I asked.

"Yeah, I just happened find it at that store we went to earlier." she replied. "I always wanted something like this. When I found it, I just had to pick it up."

"Well, it's certainly nice, how much was it?"

"About as much as a small space yacht."

I blinked. "Seriously?! To think that a watch like that can be very expensive."

"It's because mechanical watches are hardly available now. This one's an an antique that was made four centuries ago, this poor guy belongs in a museum."

"That must've been way back before the Empire was formed."

"Moreover, this is made well enough to be a work of art. This isn't the kind of that you can see every day."

"That's amazing!"

"This one is a winding clock that is turned by hand. It's called 'hand-wound.' As long as you wind it, it'll never stop ticking."

"I see...do you think a watch can be related to a deep meaning?"

"Hmm, well there is one that I like. A relationship with this is just like a relationship between people, they're both connected at their core."

"That's a good one."

"That means you understand what I'm saying right?"

"Of course, it means that it's important to be attached. Cause if you treat the ones you're with well, then they'll respond in kind."

She looked at me. "That's right...okay, I think I have everything I need for the ball."

"So do I, we're gonna have a good time. I almost can't wait."

"Yeah, I'm also looking forward to it."

It was the evening of the ball event, all of us angels were there, but Tact was running later. All the girls looked beautiful, but I was taken away by what Forte was wearing.

"Well Arnold, what do you think?" She asked.

"Forte, you look...very...very beautiful."

Forte blushed. "Ah..."

"Did my compliment surprise you?"

"Well, I imagined you'd say something like that, but actually hearing it...I'm a little embarrassed after all."

"It's how I really feel on the way you look tonight."

Forte smiled. "Thanks...and you look pretty handsome too."

I blushed a little.

Background Music: Galaxy Angel - Dance

"Oh, that music." I said.

"The ball's starting." Forte replied. "Say I have an idea."

"An idea?"

"Yeah, I'd like to try my luck at a casino area that's next door to this ball room. When it's time for the last dance, you come and find me, alright?"

"Sure, I'll be where you are when it's time. I'll go and check on the other girls."

"Thanks, I'm glad you haven't forgotten the others." She left the ball room.

"Oh, I see Milfie's by the buffet tray." I said to myself. "Hi Milfie."

"Ah, Arnold." She replied. "How is it? Having fun?"

"Yeah, I sure am. By the way, about me picking Forte..."

"It's okay, you still made a choice and as a close friend, I respect you for that."

"Thanks Milfie, you were my first friend when I joined the Elsior. You enjoying it here."

"Yeah, I'm having fun! These new deserts are making me happy!"

"They do look very tempting, maybe you could ask someone to make something like this sometime."

Milfie smiled. "Yeah! Great idea, I'll go speak to the catering team now." She rushed off.

I spotted the next angel. "Hmm, hey Ranpha."

"Arnold, having a good time?" Ranpha asked.

"Yeah it's good, enjoying yourself?"

"Obviously, everybody was asking me for a dance earlier. Do you know why?"

"It's because they find you very alluring with the way you you look tonight."

Ranpha giggled. "Ahhh you flatterer, shouldn't you be with Forte?"

"She's trying her luck at a casino room she and I will share a dance when it's time."

"That's good. Oh and I fully support your choice, I hope you and Forte get close soon."

"Me too..."

Ranpha walked off and then Mint walked up to me.

"There you are, Arnold." She said and she looked a little stressed. "Please help me."

"What is it?"

"Can you pretend that you'll dance with me? There's a guy that won't take no for an answer."

Then a guy approached us. "Hello there my little lady, mind I share the next dance with you?"

Mint put on a fake smile. "Sorry, but this man here promised to be my partner for the next dance, right Arnold?"

Talk about being thrown into the middle of it, I had to help out so I cleared my throat. "That's right. You'll have to wait for the following dance. Sorry mister."

The guy sighed. "Too bad, I'll be on my way..." He walked off.

"Whew..." Mint sighed in relief. "You saved me there, thank you very much."

"No problem, it's what close friends are for."

"And close friends can be happy for what they decide. I'm happy for you and I support your decision in choosing Forte."

"Thank you, Mint. I better go and see the others, Forte's a little busy at the moment."

"Alright, just in case that guy comes back, I'll look for Tact, see you after the event." Mint walked off.

I looked around to see Vanilla standing in a corner. "Hi Vanilla, are you okay?"

"Arnold...I am okay, do not trouble yourself."

"I don't plan to, aren't you having fun?"

"I'm not used to the kind of atmosphere at this ball."

"I don't blame you, this is my first time at a ball. But as long as you are enjoying it in your own way, I have no worries, it's who you are."

"Thank you for understanding, Arnold." Vanilla showed a little smile. "I also understand why you picked Forte. I hope you make memories with each other."

"Well the last dance will be coming up so we may have that chance...thank you, Vanilla."

I left the ball room, it was time to find Forte. I then found her outside the casino room and down a hallway.

"Arnold, good timing." She said quietly.

"What's up?" I asked.

"Listen calmly, there's been a suspicious guy wandering around the building."

"Really, where?"

"Look at that waiter over there."

I looked into the ball room and there was a waiter that was behaving a little off compared to the others.

"I see what you mean...could he be an assassin?" The waiter began to move upstairs to the VIP area. "Okay, that is not good news...Shiva will be up there."

"Apparently we're short on time here." Forte replied with a serious look.

"Is there a way to get up there and prevent something horrible from happening without causing innocents to panic?"

"We're going to have to follow them..." She then brought out two pistols. "...here, take one of these."

I gasped. "Forte...how did you keep those hidden."

She smirked. "Well, women do have more hiding places than men. Do you have a problem with that?"

"No comment..." I took the gun.

"These are a pair of .45's with silencers, now let's hurry. We can't lose track of him."

"Alright, let's go..."

I hid the gun away and we went back to the ball room and followed the waiter up to the VIP room. Prince Shiva was far away in the back and the suspicious waiter was nearby. Good, there won't be much of a scene this way.

The waiter then took off the apron and put down the tray, holding something close in his pocket. That confirmed our suspicions, we had to stop this right here and now.

"You over there!" I exclaimed. "Drop the gun!" I pulled out my silenced .45.

"What?!" The assassin asked.

"Put your gun on the floor and kick it over here, let's see those hands."

He turned around with his gun at the ready. "Damn...then I'll have to take care of you first!"

"Then I see we're going to have do this the hard way...I welcome that!"

"See you in hell!"

*PEW*

"ARGH!"

I was in a state of surprise, the assassin was shot in the leg and he fell to the side.

"Forte..." I noticed where the shot came from.

She kicked the assassin's gun away. "Arnold...I told you that I would have your back."

"Yeah, you did...thank you so much."

"It's nothing, as long as it's for you...now let's tie up this assassin and get the guards."

"Yeah and then we can have a rest over a drink."

"Hmm, I'll hold you to that, mister secret agent, ha ha ha."

We left the VIP and the guards took care of the rest. She and I shared a drink by the bar-stall and then the music changed.

Background Music: Galaxy Angel - Last Dance

"Oh...the last dance is starting."

"It's okay, Arnold...we'll have a chance to dance another time." Forte replied.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah...but it gives me a chance to say a few things."

"Hmm?"

"Arnold, I am proud of what you've done for me and the girls since you joined the group. I have grown to like you a lot. It's in a special way compared to everyone else I know."

I smiled. "Forte, I feel the same way. I have begun to have to these kinds of feelings that I can give for only you. I'm really happy that you're our ring leader and that you look after us well whenever we need you."

Forte smiled back, looking at me. "Yeah, it may had ended on a shock note, but thank you for this date. I had the best time with you and I hope we get to do this again."

"I hope so too." I raised my glass. "Here's to our second date."

"Yep, to our second date and to share our first dance, cheers."

We clinked our glasses with smiles, it was a good ending to close the night with.

It was the night before Eonia and his fleet would arrive in an attempt to take us down and seize the White Moon for his own desires. Least we would have our wings out on our frames, we had some time left before calling it a night.

I was walking into the firing range where Forte was doing her usual target practice.

"Evening Forte." I said.

Forte smiled, happy to see me in a way. "Arnold, don't often see you down here, you need something?"

"Not really, I just wanted to see you. I thought you'd be here."

"Well, do you feel a little calm now that you've seen me?"

"Yeah I do...but how did you guess I wasn't calm before?"

"Well it's pretty easy. If you came to see, that means you're worried about tomorrow's battle, right?"

"That's right. You know me well these days."

"Mm, you don't need to worry, we'll win."

"How so?"

"I told you before in one of our previous battles right? I trust you." She looked at me. "I believe in the you who has won every battle so far. As an honourable Angel Wing member and as a man. I am proud that I am able to fight together with you."

I smiled. "Forte...that has to be the greatest compliment I have ever received."

"Or maybe that's how all women think about the one they love, hahaha!"

"You know, there's something else I need to tell you."

"Yeah."

This was the moment where I was sure that Forte was the one for me, the one who's back I'll always protect...and love.

"Forte...I'll protect your back."

"Oh..."

"Every battle we've won together, you've always had our backs. Especially mine when you saved me from that assassin back at Fargo, now it's my turn. I will support and fight alongside you in the name of protection and love."

Forte blushed. "Arnold...you've become a young man...and now my worries are gone too." She put a hand on my cheek.

"Really, you were worried about what could happen tomorrow?"

"Yeah...I always think of the possible situations that can happen in a battle. But I do feel better after hearing what you've said."

"So you will agree?"

"Yep...I'll trust my back to you and in return, I'll be watching your back too. No matter what, no matter when, I'll protect you."

"Thank you, Forte. With our secret power together, we'll definitely win tomorrow's battle."

"Then shall we seal it with our first moment of love?"

"Yes, I will agree to it so we can keep on protecting each other and to love each other."

"Thank you."

She moved her towards mine and locked her lips with mine as I put my hands around her waist.

She sighed happily. "Arnold...I love you."

"Forte, I love you, too."

"I'll be calling it a night soon, you should go back and sleep well."

"Sure thing...we'll win tomorrow as a couple and we'll take everyone by surprise."

"Yeah, good night, Romeo."

I smiled and left the firing range and I walked up to the girls rooms when I saw Tact being pushed out of...Mint's room! He then sighed and walked away. Okay, that was weird but that could not have been good.

But the final battle was tomorrow and there would need to be no distractions, so I pushed on the button outside Mint's door.

"Go away, Tact!" Mint exclaimed from her room. "I told you to leave!"

"I'm afraid this isn't Tact." I replied.

She gasped. "Oh...Arnold...umm, I'm really sorry but I don't wanna see anyone else right now."

"Mint, we're going to be facing Eonia and his fleet tomorrow, the last thing we need right now are distractions that will throw us off the fight and as sub-ring leader of the group. I will not allow a distraction to occur."

She sighed. "...Alright...come in, Arnold."

I walked into her room and she was looking sad as I sat down.

"Okay Mint...first of all, just tell me what happened." I said.

"Well...Tact came into my room and we talk about how we'd be worrying about tomorrow's battle. I told him that I was okay and that I wasn't worried at all. But you see, deep down, I actually was really worried and I also had grown to develop feelings for him when she saved me from my father."

"I see...and what did Tact say?"

She began to feel angry. "He wasn't so sure and that was when I got mad at him because my feelings did not reach him. I...I thought he would be someone special...but how wrong was I?!"

I was shocked. "What? How could he be so stupid?"

"Who knows...so I told him that I will fight tomorrow, but it will be for the Empire and not for him...that made me...angry and hurt inside."

"So in other words, you had feelings for him, but he didn't return them back?"

She began to feel upset. "N-n-no...hic."

Background Music: Galaxy Angel - Recalcitrant Grief

I put my arms around her in a comforting hug.

"Mint...I'm so sorry to hear all that, I'm sorry that your heart got broken."

She rested her head below my neck. "I...I...hic...I can't...cry..."

"It's okay...you can let it out, it will help you feel better."

Mint remained silent, until... "Waaaah! Hic...waaaah!"

Poor Mint...I was close to crying myself but I was strong to not let that happen. But still, why? Why did Tact have to do that? I remained silent as I gently stroked her hair with my right hand.

"Uuuu, hic...Arnold...hic..."

"It's alright...as one of your closest friends, I'm here for you..."

"Hic...yes...hic...th-thank...you..."

Mint moved her head away, tears were still falling down her eyes.

"Sniff...Arnold...I'm sorry, that was...not ladylike of me."

"Don't be...everyone cries from time to time when they feel sad. It may be pointless, but do you feel any better?"

"I'm still heart broken...but I am beginning to feel...a little better."

"Do you need more comfort?"

"Yes please...I know it seems...selfish because you have your heart set on Forte but please don't forget about the rest of us, your closest friends."

"I will never forget that, Mint, you and the other girls mean the galaxy to me. Unlike that heartless bastard of a commander."

"Arnold...I don't blame you for saying that. Somehow, talking to you is making me feel better too."

"That's what close friends do, they give each other support in times of need, no matter how big or small the issue is."

Mint showed a smile. "Yes...thank you so much, Arnold. I wish there were more men in the galaxy like you...Forte is very lucky to have you."

We shared a friendly hug, a hug of comfort...she seemed a little better and focused on tomorrow's battle. I just hoped that despite what happened tonight, we will still win.

Well, that wasn't pretty to write, but it's done now...yeah I chose Mint in the end for a few reasons.

Anyways, next is the Moonlit Lovers part where Tact meets Chitose and Arnold & Forte help her to settle into the group.